The Veterans’ Foundation® is opening applications for its new Adaptive Sport Grants this week offering £1,000 to £15,000 to UK organisations using adaptive sport to support wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans.
The grants form part of Access Unconquered, a programme launched through the Foundation’s partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. Interested organisations can apply online via the Veterans’ Foundation website from the week commencing 2nd November to 5th December 2026.
As an Official Games Partner, the Veterans’ Foundation® will fund organisations using adaptive sport to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, build confidence and reduce isolation across the Armed Forces community.
The programme aims to break down barriers to participation and create opportunities that extend beyond competition, including for those who may never compete at an Invictus Games. This could mean someone trying a sport for the first time, returning to physical activity or finding a renewed sense of purpose and building connections with others in the Armed Forces community.
Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will also work with the University of Birmingham to evaluate the impact of the funded projects, examining how greater access to adaptive sport affects the health and wellbeing of wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans. Together, the grants and the research will build evidence about what works effectively and the role adaptive sport can play in improving health and wellbeing.
Jane Gurney, CEO, Veterans’ Foundation® said,
“We are so proud to be a partner as we’ve seen through the Invictus Games just how much sport can really do for people, helping them rebuild confidence, improve their wellbeing and feel part of something with purpose. We want many more people across the Armed Forces community to have that opportunity. Through Access Unconquered, we’ll support organisations that understand how to make adaptive sport accessible to more people. And, working with the University of Birmingham, we’ll learn more about the difference the programme makes and help ensure its legacy lives on long after Birmingham 2027.”
Jules Merrison, Director of Impact, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, said, “Access to adaptive sport can be a vital part of someone’s recovery journey, yet too many people still face barriers to participation. Through these grants, we are investing in organisations that can create meaningful opportunities for wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans to engage in sport, while also building the evidence base for what works most effectively in supporting long-term health, wellbeing and recovery.”
Veterans’ Foundation® Ambassador Mark Ormrod MBE, who has competed for Team UK at four Invictus Games, described the programme’s ambition and said,
“Access Unconquered takes all the positive impact of the Invictus Games and opens up those opportunities to the Armed Forces community across the UK, whether that’s trying a sport for the first time, getting active again or finding a new focus.”
Since launching in 2016, the Veterans’ Foundation® has awarded over £40 million in grants to more than 600 UK charitable organisations, supporting more than 1,500 projects across housing, mental health, education, employment, wellbeing and community services.
This includes funding for charities and community organisations using sport and physical activity to support rehabilitation and wellbeing, as well as club-linked organisations including Salford FC, Bristol Bears, Morecambe FC and Burnley FC.
Organisations can find the eligibility criteria, application guidance and application form at: https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
Applications close on 5 December 2026
